Transmitter headset



9, 1941. A. E. WObDRUFF ETAL 2,252,748

TRANSMITTER HEADSET Original Filed Sept. 3, 1 957 INVENTORS Alberf EWoodruff Alberf ff Hot/ache!" ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 19, 1941TRANSMITTER HEADSET Albert E. Woodruff, Oak Park, and Albert F.Horlacher, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Associated Electric Laboratories,Inc., Chicago, I-ll., a corporation of Delaware Original applicationSeptember 3, 1937, Serial No.

162,252, now Patent No. 2,184,262, dated December 19, 1939. Divided andthis application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,244

. 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to transmitter head set supportingapparatus and more particularly to an assembly for supporting a pair ofmicrophone cells in position against the body of a wearer or user. Thisapplication is a division of applicants co-pending application SerialNo.

162,252, filed September 3, 1937, now U. S. Patent No. 2,184,262,Woodrufi and Horlacher, granted Dec. 19, 1939.

In the present applicants co-pending application Serial No. 162,253,filed September 3, 1937, now U. S. Patent No. 2,184,064, Woodruff andHorlacher, granted Dec. 19, 1939, there is disclosed and claimed animproved transmitter cell of the type which is responsive to received mechanical vibrations as contrasted with the conventional type of cellwhich responds to received sound waves. Asexplained in theabove-referred to application, cells of this character possess deflniteoperating advantages, particularly when used to transmit intelligence orspeech from an area wherein the background noise is exceedingly high,such, for example, as from the cockpit of an airplane. In use, a cell ofthis type is strapped to the throat of the user so that the diaphragmthereof is vibrated in accordance with muscular vibrations of the throatwhen the user or wearer speaks. Several forms of apparatus haveheretofore been used for supporting the microphone cells in position,but all such apparatus involves the use of helmets having the microphonecells embodied therein, or other similar structures of cumbersomecharacter.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide animproved assembly for the purpose specified which is of simple,economical and rugged construction and is so compact that it occupies asmall amount of space when not in service.

In general, the object as set forth above is attained in accordance withthe present invention by providing an assembly of the character notedwherein a pair of transmitter cells are secured in spaced-apart relationto a supporting member constructed of flexible resilient material, such,for example, as soft rubber, and means comprising this member are usedfor supporting the cells against the throat of a user or wearer. Twomodifications of the improved assembly are described in detailhereinafter. In each of these modifications, the circuit conductorsterminating at the two cells are embedded in the member supporting thecells throughout at least a portion of the length thereof. In onemodification, the base portion of each cell is provided with adepression within which an enlarged end of the flexible supportingmember is seated, and there is embodied in each cell a cover plate whichis secured to the base member of the associated cell and is so shaped asto cover the associated enlarged end of the flexible supporting member.In the other modification, the supporting member is provided at spacedintervals along its length with cup-shaped openings, each of which isadapted to accommodate one of the two cells, and each of the cells is soshaped as to fit within and distend the side walls of either opening.This last-mentioned modification further contemplates the use of aresilient stiffening element embedded in the flexible member andencircling the edges of each of the cupshaped openings, thereby to causethe sides of the openings to grip the sides of the cells respectivelyinserted therein. This stiffening element is provided with angularlybent portions extending exteriorly of the flexible supporting member ateach end thereof, which portions are so shaped as to form fasteningelements to which may be attached a strap having mounted thereonfastening elements for cooperating with the fastening elements formed ateach end of the supporting member. Thus, the flexible supporting member,the strap and the various fastening elements comprise means forsupporting the cells against the body of a user or wearer.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the specification taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side'view illustratingone embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a top view of the supportingassembly shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the detailsof one of the flexible members referred to above, Fig. 4 is a bottomview of the member illustrated in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view, partially insection, illustrating certain details of the assembly shown in Figs. 1and 2, Fig. 6 is a view illustrating certain details of one of theelements embodied in the microphone cells shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5,Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention, andFigs. 9 and 10 illustrate certain details of the assembly shown in Figs.7 and 8.

Referring now more particular y to Figs. 1

to 6, inclusive, of the drawing, there is illustrated one embodiment ofthe improved assembiy which is constructed and arranged in ac cordancewith the disclosure contained in the above-referred to co-pendingapplication, serial No. 162,252. This assembly comprises a pair ofmicrophone cells it and it, each of which is constructed and arrangedin. accordance with the disclosure contained in the above-referred toco-pending application, Serial No. 162,253, and a member 52 constructedof flexible resil ient material, such as soft rubber, to which the cellsIt and It are secured in spaced apart relation. In brief, each of thecells comprises a base member of insulating material, a cup-shapedmember constructed of cellulose acetate material and having its rimsecured to the surface of the associated base member, and a structurepositioned between the bottom of the cupshaped member and the basemember and enclosed thereby for retaining therein the granulated carbonpile conventionally embodied in such cells. Thus, in Fig. the cell It isshown as comprising a base member I 0', a cup-shaped member9 having 'itsrim secured to the adjacently disposed surface of the member ID and acarbon pile retaining structure, not shown, enclosed within the twomembers 9 and III. The bottom portion 9 of the cup-shaped member 9 ismade relatively thin and functions as the vibrating diaphragm totransmit vibrations to the movable electrode embodied in the carbon pileretaining structure referred to above. It will be apparent from thedrawing that the construction of the cell II is in all respectsidentical with the cell I 0 and, hence, need not be described.

'I'he'flexible supporting member I2 forms a part of means for supportingthe cells I0 and II with the respective diaphragms thereof in ehgagementwith the throat of a wearer, this means also comprising a strap I3having one end secured within the cell II, in the manner described indetail hereinafter, and a fastening'element in the form of an eye I4mounted on the Q other end thereof for attachment to a cooperatingfastening element in the form of a hook I5 fixedly mounted on the basemember ID of the cell III. Inserted intermediate the two ends of thestrap I3 is a'buckle I6 which is provided for the purpose of adjustingthe length of the strap to conform to the requirements of a particularuser.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the flexible memberI2 is provided at its ends with enlarged annular portions I I and I8which are adapted to seat within annular depressions fonned in therespective base members I0 and II of the cells II) and II. Theseenlarged annular portions are clamped within the depressions noted bymeans of cover plates I9 and 20 secured, respectively, to the baseportions I0 and II by screws 2| and 22. In this connection, it ispointed out that the narrowed link portion of the member I2 is seated inslots cut, respectively, along the edges of the base members III and IIin the manner best illustrated in Fig. 6; the slots noted constituterestricted connecting openings respectively formed inthe base membersIII and II and respectively communicating with the depressions formedtherein. Two screws are provided for securing the cover plate of eachcell in position and each thereof extends through a hole punched in theannular portion of the flexible member I2. The end of the strap I3 whichis secured to the cell II extends withina slot provided along the edgeclamping force exerted thereon by the annular portion is of the flexiblemember ii. In a simi-- lar manner, the hook i5 is mounted on the basemember it with the shank thereof extending through a slot out along theedge of the base member iii. This hook is clamped to the base member isby means comprising a. projection formed integrally with the cover plateI9 and extending within the last-mentioned slot, the last-mentionedprojection carried by the cover plate is corresponding to the projection8 carried by the cover plate 20.

Each of the two cells I0 and II is provided in its base member with apair of circuit terminals, not shown, and extending to these terminalsare circuit conductors embedded or molded in the flexible member I2.More specifically, a circuit conductor cord 23 is provided whichincludes a-pair of insulated conductors 24 and 25 terminating at theterminals of a plug 28 and having extensions embedded in the flexiblemember I2 and connected, respectively, to one terminal of each of thecells I0 and II. The two cells noted are connected in series between theoutgoing circuit conductors 24 and 25 by means including a thirdconductor 21, also embedded in the flexible member I2, and connected toone terminal of each of the two cells I0 and II. By connecting the cellsin series in this manner, a greater amplitude of output is obtained witha given vibrational input to the cells. In order to relieve the embeddedconductors 24 and 25 from strain and to enhance the durability of theassembly, a stay cord 28 is provided which includes a knotted end 29embedded in the flexible member I2. This stay cord'may be molded in orotherwise fixedly secured within the insulation of the cord 23.

Due to the fiexible and resilient characteris tics of the member I2, theassembly as described above may be readily inserted in the pocket of thuser and, when removed therefrom, immediately assumes a position for theconvenient attachment of the same around the neck of the user. Moreparticularly, the resilient character of the member I2 permits themicrophone assembly to be deformed to a convenient configuration forcarrying or transport when not in use and insures that the assembly willassume a configuration facilitating the fastening thereof to the wearersbody when released from forces causing its deformation. It will beunderstood that the strap I3 is adapted to pass around the neck of thewearer and that the eye I4 cooperates with the hook I5, thereby securelyto support the two cells III and II with the diaphragms thereof pressingagainst opposite sides of the throat of the wearer. When this is done,the member I2 will assume a curved contour and will rest against thefront central portion of the users throat.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, of thedrawing, there is illustrated a modification of the improvedsupportbedded or molded therein, around the edges thereof, a stiifeningelement comprising a wire 32 which encircles the cup-shaped openings 30and 3| and serves to press the side walls thereof against the walls ofthe cells It and H, respectively inserted therein, thereby firmly toretain these cells in their assembled positions. The construction of thecells as well as the mode of electrically connecting the same isidentical with that described above for the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. Also corresponding to theconstruction of the first described modification is the feature ofembedding or molding the circuit conductors in the'fiexible supportingmember l2. In the modification now under consideration, the strap I3 isnot fixedly secured to eitherv of the two cells but is provided at each,end with a fastening I element in the form of a hook for engaging acooperating fastening element comprising an eye formed, at each end ofthe member [2, from an angularly bent portion of the wire 32 whichextends exteriorly of the'member II, In this modification, the member I2is bent to form a right angle so that the two cells In and II areprepositioned to engage the opposite sides of the throat of a user whenthe supporting assembly is secured in position by means of the strap l3,It is pointed out that, with this arrangement, only the diaphragmportion of each of the cells extends exteriorly of the cup-shapedopenings in which the cells are respectively mounted. As a consequence,the areas of the member [2 adjacent the diaphragms of the respectivecells provide an additional supporting surface 4 retaining the cellsagainst the throat of a wearer. This additional area minimizes thediscomfort to the wearer when the diaphragms of the cells are securelyclamped to the wearer's throat.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is contemplated tocover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A microphone supporting assembly comprising. in combination, a pairof microphone cells, a member constructed of flexible resilientmaterial, said member being provided with two cupshaped cavities atspaced intervals along its length, each of said cavities being adaptedto accommodate andremovably to support one of said cells, each of saidcells being shaped to fit within and distend the side wall of one ofsaid cavities, a resilient stiffening element embedded in said memberand encircling the side wall of each ofsaid cavities, thereby to causethe side walls of said cavities to grip the side walls of the cellsrespectively inserted into said cavities, said element being providedwith portions extending exteriorly of said member at each end thereofand shaped to form fastening elements, a strap having a fasteningelement mounted at each end thereof for attachment to the fasteningelements formed ateach end of said element, and means including saidmember and said strap and said fastening elements for supporting saidcells against the body of a wearer.

, 2. A microphone supporting assembly comprising, in combination, a pairof microphone cells, a member constructed of fiexible resilientmaterial, said member being provided with two cup-shaped cavities atspaced intervals along its length, each of said cavities being adaptedto accommodate and removably to support one of said cells, each of saidcells being shaped to fit within and distend the side wall of one ofsaid cavities, circuitterminals mounted on each of said cells, circuitconductors connected to said cells, said conductors being embedded insaid member throughout at least a portion of the length thereof, aresilient stiffening element embedded in said member and encircling theside wall of each of said cavities, thereby to cause the side walls ofsaid cavities to grip the side walls of the cells respectively insertedinto said cavities, said element being provided with por- ALBERT E.WOODRUFF. ALBERT F. HORLACHER.

